In May, a routine domestic violence call led to the discovery of what was labeled a possible drug dealing and welfare fraud ring. After responding to a call in the 1700 block of South 370th, police discovered over $500,000 in cash, pounds of marijuana, high end electronics, firearms and welfare identification cards. Police seized the items, cards and cash, and began conducting their investigation.

In June, the city handed over that $549,977.45 to the United States Marshals Office: $277,283.45 was turned over to the ATF, while the DEA took $272,694 off the city’s hands. City finance director Tho Kraus explained how the money moved from the city to the Feds.

“City police seized the funds and deposited it in the city’s pending seizure account. The U.S. Attorney’s office recommended the city release the funds for administrative forfeiture,” she wrote in an email to The Mirror. “Therefore the city issued two checks totaling equal to the amount seized from this incident while the United States Department of Justice assists the city with this issue.”